Bedford drops out of EfW project amid rising costs

Central Bedfordshire and Luton borough council are very disappointed in the decision

 
Cllr Budge Wells, BEaR

However, the two remaining councils have vowed to continue with the plans despite claiming Bedford's decision could adversely affect its chances of receiving PFI-funding.

The initiative, known as the Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling (BEaR) Project, was set to see the councils develop an incinerator capable of handling 250,000 tonnes of waste a year. The first application for PFI-funding was refused by the Treasury over issues concerning the project's reference site and has been hit by a series of delays along with increased costs caused by the economic downturn.

This led to Bedford councillors on Wednesday (September 16) voting unanimously to withdraw from the project after documents shown to the executive explained that the project was now set to cost “significantly” more than expected.

Paul Pace, head of environment at Bedford, told letsrecycle.com that the decision was not linked to plans for Covanta Energy to develop an energy-from-waste facility in Bedfordshire for Buckinghamshire county council but said that the possibility of sending some waste to the plant had been raised at the executive meeting.

Mr Pace said: “The reason why our members decided to withdraw from the project is that costs have gone up significantly and members think it is no longer sustainable.”

“It will provide us with the opportunity to look at the arrangements that are sustainable from both the environment, financial aspects and reduces the councils future reliance on landfill,” he added.

Partnership

The escalation in costs for the project meant that members of the three council partnership had to vote on whether they wanted to continue. Central Bedfordshire and Luton councils are set to meet next month to decide officially whether or not to continue – although they are expected to press ahead.

Councillor Budge Wells, spokesperson for the BEaR Project, said: “Having worked hard to try and secure £220 million of Government funding, Central Bedfordshire and Luton borough council are very disappointed in the decision that Bedford borough council has made to go it alone, potentially putting this important funding at risk.”

“The BEaR Project will press ahead, on behalf of Central Bedfordshire and Luton borough council, who shall continue to explore ways to deliver a greener solution to treat locally produced household waste,” he added.

On Wednesday, Central Bedfordshire criticised Buckinghamshire's decision to name Covanta as preferred bidder to treat its residual waste – plans which would involve it building a 585,000 tonne-a-year capacity facility in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire – without consulting with Central Bedfordshire first (see letsrecycle.com story).